Follow-up: Low End TL machines and my Performa

[spookiness]

Regarding my original post:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/MODERN/22898.htm?15

My Performa is PAV2000AWW. The issue does seem to be the timer, and these seem to be priced around $120. I don't want to spend that money, and from what most of you have said, 12 years for this machine is a good run.

I got a 12 month/no interest Home Depot offer in the mail yesterday, and that probably steers me towards buying new rather than used. I would like a nice front-loader, and there's an LG model that I like, but most-likely I'm going to get a top-loader in the =/< $350 range.

I can see that Roper and Estate are the same thing, and the part numbers are even similar (ETW4400WQ vs. RTW4440VQ) What about Admiral (ATW4475VQ), which is sold at HD now? The control panel looks different, but the specs look the same and I was wondering if the guts of this machine are the same as Ropers/Estates? It's currently very attractively priced. I have been doing just online comparisons and haven't gone out shopping yet. Plan to do that Tuesday.

I have not looked at Hotpoint/GE that much, but if you could tell me which model #'s to consider or avoid that would be helpful.

Many thanks. This has been very educational!

p.s. just did a quick look at Best Buy has Inglis (ITW4300SQ) and its obviously a Roper/Estate

 

[coldspot66]

The current Admirals at Home Depot are, indeed, W/P. They are 1 speed direct drive washers with a plastic inner tub. Not crazy about plastic inner tubs, but for the $$$$, hard to beat. The consoles are not bad looking either.

 

[spookiness]

I can live with a plastic tub.

But can anyone clarify if any of these low end models have a true gentle cycle with a slow agitate? A slow spin isn't as important.

Maybe the reason why my Performa lasted so long is that I usually use the slow agitate/fast spin setting. So maybe it didn't beat itself to death so fast. (And it makes a clanking noise on the regular/fast agitate setting)

 

[coldspot66]

The Admiral machine, and other clones (Estate, Roper) that say "2 speed combinations" are one speed machines. Gentle cycle uses an alternating pulsed agitation at normal speed. 2 speed machines will say 3 or 4 speed combinations.

 

[alr2903]

The Amana also from Whirlpool looks like it has all the bells and whistles and a bioguard tub ring to "reduce mold and odor", its a TOPLOAD machine, and probably a good one from whirlpool... that said i just can't bring myself to buy another Amana labeled product. Of course this whirlie amana is not the Maycor Amana of a few years ago. It does have nice blue trim on the console.

 

[davek]

The Home Depot page on the Admiral says that it has a porcelain tub. I couldn't find the Roper or Estate on the webpage at all, but did find the budget Amana.

I'm sure that any of the above would be typical boring Whirlpool DD reliable. That's usually a good thing.

 

[everythingold]

WP is whoring out the Amana name, which used to be a higher end Maytag brand. I would stay away from any 1 speed motor. You cannot get a "real" gentle cycle if the motor is always spinning at top speed. I wouldn't touch a GE, I won't allow them in my shop. As far as front loaders, don't buy ANYTHING except a Speed Queen, all the large door WP's, GE's, LG's, etc. are JUNK! And get the extended warranty, as long as they will give you. New machines are designed to fail, these corporations are unscrupulous thieves. matt

 

[spookiness]

I ordered an Admiral from Home Depot and its due for delivery July 2. I saw one in a store, and it has a porcelain tub. The controls and cycles are just like other machines, but the panel and knobs are slightly different. Open the lid, and they're all the same inside except for the color of the basket.

Roper@ Lowes, $352 plus delivery
Kenmore@ Sears, $303 delivery charges rebated
Admiral@ Home Depot Direct, $279, free delivery and removal of old

I sort of liked the retro sound of the Roper name, but the Admiral price seems hard to beat.

 

[everythingold]

Roper@ Lowes, $352 plus delivery
Kenmore@ Sears, $303 delivery charges rebated
Admiral@ Home Depot Direct, $279, free delivery and removal of old

At my shop a TOL Kitchen Aid, 3 speed motor, every bell and whistle is $250 delivered, including tax, 6 month warranty.
Why buy new? The new DD's have a plastic gear in the tranie, the older ones don't. An 8 year old DD is superior to a brand new one. matt

 

[spookiness]

I don't disagree, but I don't live in Grand Rapids, and used appliance stores around here are practically non-existant. I researched going the used route, visited the Habitat for Humantity ReStore, and tried to find something on Craigslist, but the right machine didn't turn up.

 

[magic clean]

RE: Plastic gears

The spin gear & few other internal gearcase parts have been nylon since the machines inception nearly 30 years ago.

L.P.